So many of us know few people who understand us as artists. We create stories from deep inside us. Our characters do not exist until we listen to the voices in our heads and then allow them to be real.

I can't paint or do any other art forms, so I can't speak for artists or photographers. I do know that my photographs don't capture my subjects' souls the way the pros do. Wonderful photographs and art works incorporate a part of the creator's heart and soul to make us feel. We see and we admire and we feel.

Writers share a part of themselves when they write stories. Our characters and their stories means something to us and we want them to have meaning to our readers. We want readers to identify with the fears and joys, the anger, the hope, and every smile and tear of our characters. We want things non artists can't understand and most of our families don't really identify with that part of us.

I want my stories to have impact. Each character speaks to me in ways a lot of folks don't get. Even some other writers don't identify with some of the people inside my head whose stories make me feel. That's fine. I still want the emotions to come through.

If your stories or images don't make someone smile or cry or want to hit something, why not?


Can you feel the love here?








Is there any doubt what these
kids are feeling?


Do you share the fears or just tell about them? Make my gut ache, or put a tear in my eye or make me fight feelings I don't want to face. Make me feel love and pride and passion.

Talk to me! Tell me what you want in a story you read
or in what you want to get from a painting, a statue, a photograph?



24 comments

  1. Scarlet Pumpernickel // October 5, 2009 at 1:13 AM  

    Creative energy was inundating the Hilton in great waves, you could not help but be inspired! What a wonderful experience. It was a great weekend.

  2. Scarlet Pumpernickel // October 5, 2009 at 1:59 AM  

    Love the creativity in the pictures MM! You use them to make your point so well. What a neat idea. Inspiration for us to take a look at what makes our creative juices flow. Good job, MM.

  3. Mary Marvella // October 5, 2009 at 2:03 AM  

    Thanks, Scarlet! I love photos and art that makes me feel something.of course the little girl and the bride are my daughter.

  4. Edie Ramer // October 5, 2009 at 8:53 AM  

    Love your pictures! I think they're wonderful. Of course, you had a great subject, which is what writers need, too. :)

  5. Patrice Wilton // October 5, 2009 at 9:18 AM  

    Mary,
    What a beautiful family and great photos. I enjoyed your post and can't agree more. I want to laugh and cry over a story, and if the author can do that they have succeeded and I will remember the characters and the book. that is what we must all strive for.
    Patrice

  6. Judith Keim // October 5, 2009 at 9:39 AM  

    Mary, love the post and the pictures. The thing about the written word and photographs is that each viewer brings her own thing to it. So that what makes one reader cry, might not make another. But throughout life for most of us, there are universal things that appeal or affect us all...tenderness, love, humor, the emotions we all experience or wish for. But you're right, write the story of your heart and it will work for you

  7. Barbara Monajem // October 5, 2009 at 10:00 AM  

    Love your photos, Mary! I've never thought about what I want from pictures -- I don't go looking for photos and paintings that move me -- that's something that just happens. Books, on the other hand, serve a regular purpose in my life (although not always the same one). Depending on my mood, I will seek out anything from comfort to inspiration to a well-deserved reprimand.

  8. Donnell Ann Bell // October 5, 2009 at 11:25 AM  

    Mary, what beautiful pictures. You're absolutely right, when we write we give the world a glimpse of us. I envy those who can paint or do crafts and split their muse; I'm not one of them. Pictures affect me and they don't. I'm a listener. Now put music or words with those pictures and my muse will take it from there. Thanks and I'm glad you had an outstanding time at Moonlight & Magnolias!

  9. Mary Marvella // October 5, 2009 at 11:37 AM  

    Thanks, Edie! Photographers usually start with a subject but they still need to catch the right expressions. Of course I have MANY such images. Writers have to work to put feelings on paper that would easier with visible images.

  10. Mary Marvella // October 5, 2009 at 11:39 AM  

    Patrice, I'm glad I said something that resonated with you. It isn't easy to choose the right words to make a reader see what we see or feel what we feel.

  11. Mary Marvella // October 5, 2009 at 11:41 AM  

    Judy, writing from my heart is the only way I can do things! Glad you like the pictures!

  12. Mary Marvella // October 5, 2009 at 11:44 AM  

    Barbara, don't you love that we can get things from books and photos and movies things the creator might not have intended? We each bring something to the creation that makes it different for us than for anyone else.

  13. Mary Marvella // October 5, 2009 at 11:47 AM  

    Thanks, Donnell. I have shown hundreds of images to clients and gotten different reactions. I can take a photograph, but I can't always capture that special something.

  14. Mary Ricksen // October 5, 2009 at 1:51 PM  

    What I want is emotion. Something that stirs me to have a strong feeling. Awe, shock, that smiley feeling, any emotion that comes as long as it's strong and then it makes a dent in my memory forever.

    If that is your daughter she is absolutely beautiful.

  15. Mary Ricksen // October 5, 2009 at 1:52 PM  

    both are pictures of your daughter. She is amazing. So cute as a child and so extraordinarily gorgeous as a woman!

  16. Mary Marvella // October 5, 2009 at 1:54 PM  

    Thanks, Mary R. I think our comments say a lot. Emotion.

  17. Infogypsy // October 5, 2009 at 6:49 PM  

    Cute pics - kids are always the best - judi

  18. Mary Marvella // October 5, 2009 at 7:27 PM  

    Thanks, Judi!

  19. Liz Lipperman // October 5, 2009 at 8:28 PM  

    Mary, her smile is identical to yours. What beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing. I love pictures, but I get my most inspired writing from music.

  20. Mary Marvella // October 5, 2009 at 8:47 PM  

    Thanks, Liz! Music was great for me before my parents passed away in a short time after we put daddy in a personal care home. Then listening to most music became too painful for me to write. Maybe I should try it again.

  21. Nightingale // October 5, 2009 at 9:18 PM  

    Wonderful photos, Mary. Don't keep a secret. Mayr is a great photographer and brings to that talent the same creativity she brings to writing. No wonder you always have the feelings and senses in your work. Talking about someone who can multi-task!!!

  22. Mary Marvella // October 5, 2009 at 9:50 PM  

    The great photos were taken by my ex and another pro. I'll take credit, though.

  23. Josie // October 6, 2009 at 6:27 PM  

    Mary,
    I have great respect for photographers. My daughter is a model, and the last photographer who did her comp cards did a fantastic job. Her pictures sparkle with color and energy.

  24. Mary Marvella // October 7, 2009 at 12:32 AM  

    It's one thing to record an image and another to capture the spark of the subject.